West Toledo Branch Library blends past with digital future

The West Toledo Branch Library officially reopened Oct. 24 after a 13-month, $2.9 million renovation. The historic Sylvania Avenue site is one of 18 branch locations and part of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library system.

West Toledo Branch Library, photo by Tom Konecny

“I’m not embellishing, this is the finest public library system of anywhere on this planet,” said Mayor D. Michael Collins. “There’s only one pathway out of poverty and that is education.”

Collins also referenced Bishop Daniel Thomas’ Oct. 22 Toledo Diocese installation homily, calling the youth the “wings” and the elderly the “roots” of the library.

Library Director Clyde Scoles and other dignitaries said the 84-year old structure now houses a new library, offering more than books. In addition to expanded space, the library features the system’s first-ever 3-D printer, a creation studio where users can record their own music and vocals, as well as convert old VHS tapes and mini DVDs to digital, plus 48 computers for public use, up from 12 before the renovation.

Julie Bursten, branch manager, had been eagerly awaiting the reopening after personally closing its doors. She said she wanted to reopen the West Toledo location as badly as its patrons, some of who were waiting by the front door the prior Monday when it held its soft opening.

The branch expanded from 18,987 to 21,515 square feet, 2,500 of which are utilized in the remodeled children’s area. The renovation preserves its Tudor-style architecture while blending fun, new areas, such as the children’s space with whimsical trees and beanstalk accented by garden-like creatures.

Individuals wishing to use the creation studio must simply have a library card and undergo some brief training. There, users can utilize GarageBand software along with a 16-channel mixer, drum pads, 88 MIDI keyboard and two HD video cameras.

Children’s book area in the West Toledo Branch Library, photo by Tom Konecny

“Patrons can now make demos to show a potential studio label,” said Dave Misko, systems engineer. Misko orchestrated the new room, the first of its kind in all of Northwest Ohio, and the main library Downtown will have one of its own next year. The cost of the creation studio was around $20,000, Misko said.

The entire library upgrade was mostly a local affair: among 24 subcontractors, 14 were from Lucas County, two from Bowling Green, and all but one was based outside Ohio. In addition, over 15 percent of the cost came from Minority Business Enterprise/Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity Unit participation.

The West Toledo location is often regarded as a community cornerstone, so beloved that the entire neighborhood is often referred to as Library Village.

“This is a wonderful day for this neighborhood,” said Sandy Spang, Toledo city councilwoman. “This is your day and it is sure to be celebrated.”

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was also in attendance, and presented an American flag to the library which was flown over the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 14.

“I’m just so excited for this,” she said. “This is an accomplishment that we did together. Truly, this library system is a treasure.”

The West Toledo Branch Library is located at 1320 Sylvania Ave. in Toledo. Hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 419-259-5290 or visit toledolibrary.org.

A statewide test called Kindergarten Readiness Assessment – Literacy (KRA-L) is administered to kindergartners to show how much “intervention” or additional help they may need to learn to read. However, only one-third of kindergartners in the Toledo area pass this annual literacy test, according to the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) 2011 report.

KRA-L assesses oral language, rhyming, letter identification and alliteration – four components that are “essential for reading,” according to ODE.

“If you’re not ready to learn to read by kindergarten then statistics say you won’t catch up in time to be reading by third grade,” said Nancy Eames, youth services coordinator for Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. “We want more children in Lucas County to be ready. If you can read you can do anything and if you can’t then you will miss a lot of opportunities.”

In September, the West Toledo branch of Toledo-Lucas County Public Library closed for an extensive remodeling project, which includes the addition of an elevator, updated basement facilities, dozens of new computers and an entirely new area of the library that will be dedicated to children’s literature.

“The renovation will create a unique space for children to develop good literacy skills in Toledo,” said Julie Bursten, manager at the West Toledo branch. “The library’s an old and historic building that was constructed in 1930. They’re doing a good job maintaining its character even while we’re adding on a whole new section that’s focused on helping children.”

Bursten said the children’s literature section of the library has no official name yet, but will sport a “Bookingham Forest theme” inspired by the library’s mission to boost KRA-L scores and improve children’s literacy in Toledo.

“We’re excited about it. It’s a well-done project,” said Charlie Oswanski, facilities and operations superintendent for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. “The architectural group has done a good job of managing challenges, maintaining and restoring the Tudor architecture of the building and creating a special place for kids.”

Oswanski said that he thinks the “charming old architecture” of the library will add to the “fairytale” inside, which features four custom-carved, fabricated trees that stretch from the floor to the ceiling.

“People who were here in the ’60s and ’70s remember what the library looked like in its old glory days,” Oswanski said. “We’ve tried to restore some of that with the nuances of fairytale. This work is going to add to all that magic.”

The fairytale section is a major part of the library renovation’s overall $3.3 million budget, “half of which has been paid for by the state and half by a local levy,” Oswanski said.

Mary Krall, whose house is located next to the construction site, said she is “definitely excited” to see the library expanding, even if it means waking up to the sound of bulldozers.

“Around 7:30 a.m. the bulldozers start and the house shakes, which isn’t very pleasant,” Krall said. “But it’s inevitable that you’re going to have to pay a price if you want the expansion. Everyone’s going to complain about the noise, but I’m still really glad they’re doing the work. It will be great for kids.”

In addition to the new children’s literature addition, the library has invested in a “Ready to Read van” that visits at-risk areas around the city as part of its outreach services. The library’s educational programming is based off a national initiative called Every Child Ready to Read.

“If we can change the behavior of parents and childcare providers by equipping them with information then we can raise those KRA-L scores,” Eames said. “We adapt our training to the individual child’s parents and then we follow up. Our hope is to stay in touch with them.”

The library’s Ready to Read van made its debut April 9 and has since trained about 180 parents and 25 childcare providers.

“Those critical preschool years before children start school are when many families may not be connected to quality child care,” Eames said. “The library’s here, it’s free, and we’ve invested a lot in it so children can come here and learn. We want to help families get ready for kindergarten.”